What is Stack Ventilation?

There are many ways and processes by which you can ensure that the air in a building remains fresh at all times. Opening windows a couple of times a day is not the only solution, but also proper ventilation. One way of ventilating a building is by leveraging the power of the “stack effect”.

How Does Stack Ventilation Work?

To understand how this works, consider the temperature difference in the air inside and outside of a building. The warm air inside tends to rise and seek for an exit and since nature abhors a vacuum, cooler air from the outside flows in to occupy the space created by the warm air. This cycle repeats countless times every day, in a process called stack ventilation, as long as vertical pressure differences continue to exist. Take note that this phenomenon may occur naturally or by design.

Distinctive Features and Operating Process

Although stack ventilation allows air to circulate in a building, it may not contribute to sufficient airflow. This is because a building must have large openings to allow for such flow to occur freely. Secondly, this type of ventilation may actually cause the temperature of some rooms in a building to be higher. For example, in a building with several floors, the rising warm air will make rooms in the upper floors hotter. Professionals in the construction industry call this effect stratification.

When is Stack Ventilation Appropriate?

Additionally, this type of ventilation can happen even when there is no wind pressure. One can also use it in a building where wind-driven cross ventilation is impossible to achieve. Take note however that stack ventilation can only take place when the air temperature inside the stack is higher than the air outside.

Stack Ventilation Benefits

The beauty of relying on natural ventilation is that you do not have to incur extra costs to keep your home or office cool. Remember, most mechanical ventilators consume electricity in order to circulate air throughout a building. Secondly, you do not have to worry about maintenance costs. Thirdly, natural ventilation does not pollute the environment by releasing harmful gases such as carbon monoxide or carbon dioxide. Overall stack ventilation helps you save on costs while also being more environmentally friendly. 

Should You Opt it?

If you have a home or an office with many windows or openings, getting stack ventilation could really be of benefit, as the windows allow for air flow and the ventilation system for cost-effective, eco-friendly air circulation. It is definitely a solution you should consider if these are spheres of your interest. For more information and guidance you are more than welcome to give Air Duct Cleaning Huntington Beach a call!